SAN RAMON -- Chevron will reduce its staffing levels by 400 jobs in San Ramon, part of the energy giant's decision to transfer some operations to Houston.

Slated to begin in August, the staffing reductions were outlined in an official filing by Chevron with state labor officials. The transfer is being undertaken to support the energy giant's fast-growing exploration, development and production business, but spokesman Morgan Crinklaw said Chevron remains committed to California and will keep its headquarters in San Ramon.

"Chevron is a California company and our roots go back more than 130 years," he said.

Initially, Chevron had contemplated moving 800 jobs to Houston. The 400 jobs being shifted represent about 11 percent of its San Ramon workforce of 3,500. It has 6,500 employees in the Bay Area and 10,000 in California.

Despite the loss of 400 Chevron jobs in San Ramon, officials and realty experts say San Ramon and the East Bay are doing well in terms of adding jobs recently.

"We are never happy to see an employer move jobs out of San Ramon, but we have more jobs coming into San Ramon than going out," said Greg Rogers, San Ramon's city manager.

San Francisco-based PG&E will locate its gas operations center in San Ramon, where it already has other operations. When that opens, PG&E will have about 1,600 employees in the city's Bishop Ranch office center.

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General Electric intends to staff a software research center in San Ramon, also in Bishop Ranch, with 400 or more employees. Bank of the West has decided to move 1,600 workers to Bishop Ranch, of which at least 1,400 are already working in the business park. And Pleasanton-based software firm Workday recently bought Stoneridge Corporate Center. The office complex could contain 3,000 employees if completely filled by Workday staffers. Workday now has about 1,000 workers in Pleasanton.

Ross Stores has bought a three-building complex in Dublin where it will move its corporate headquarters. Those offices could contain 1,600 to 2,000 Ross employees. Ross said it wanted the Dublin complex to help it accommodate future corporate growth.

"The market is getting healthier in the Tri-Valley," said Mark Triska, a senior vice president with Colliers International, referring to company expansions in San Ramon, Dublin and Pleasanton.

Chevron said opportunities remain for those being displaced by the loss of their jobs in San Ramon.

"Those employees who choose not to relocate have the opportunity to apply for new positions within Chevron," Crinklaw said.